On packing

Before heading out of Manaus and back to Japan, I had started packing 3
days before, and 24 hours before leaving the hotel, I was fully packed
and ready to go. I realized that it's a lot easier to pack when
returning home rather than going somewhere; no need to think about what
to bring, you just have to fit everything in your suitcase. That gave me
some relief the night before to get some work done and clear my
conscience a bit before finishing this assignment. I ordered some room
service--a burger and a Skol beer from the hotel bar--and got all my
files together, chatted on Skype with a few people, did a last check on
things, and got to bed at a reasonable hour. I usually don't like to
stay inside my last night somewhere, but I had done quite a lot of
sightseeing this time around, so I was content... not to mention that
I'll be back in less than 2 months.